[Nfbnet-members-list] Fwd: National Federation of the Blind Names Casey L. Robertson 2012 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children

[David Andrews]

>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>CONTACT:
>Chris Danielsen
>Director of Public Relations
>National Federation of the Blind
>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>
>National Federation of the Blind Names Casey L. Robertson
>2012 Distinguished Educator of Blind Children
>
>Dallas, Texas (July 2, 2012): The National Federation of the Blind 
>(NFB) has named Casey L. Robertson, an itinerant teacher of blind 
>students in Mississippi, as its 2012 Distinguished Educator of Blind 
>Children.  Ms. Robertson was presented with the award at the NFB's 
>seventy-second annual national convention, held at the Hilton 
>Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas.
>
>Ms. Robertson has been a teacher since 2000, and began specializing 
>in the education of blind students four years ago.  She currently 
>works as an independent contractor, teaching five blind students 
>across four different school districts in Mississippi.  She 
>instructs her students in everything from Braille to adaptive 
>technology to orientation and mobility.  In addition to her 
>teaching, Ms. Robertson also spearheaded the effort to start a new 
>Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) program in 
>Nebraska  and actively advocates for blind children, both in her 
>area and throughout the country, to receive Braille instruction.
>
>Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
>said: "Ms. Robertson has dedicated both her career and a great deal 
>of her personal time to ensuring that blind students are given the 
>tools for independence and academic success.  Ms. Robertson's 
>dedication is exemplified in her advocacy and her work with the BELL 
>program, ensuring that blind students all over the country, not just 
>those that she teaches, are given the opportunity to succeed.  The 
>National Federation of the Blind commends Ms. Robertson for her 
>unwavering commitment to the education of blind students."
>
>Ms. Robertson received her bachelor's degree in elementary education 
>and a master's degree in gifted studies from the Mississippi 
>University for Women, and her master's degree in education from 
>Louisiana Tech University.
>
>The Distinguished Educator Award carries with it a $1,000 prize and 
>a trip to the 2012 NFB National Convention in Dallas.  While in 
>Dallas, Ms. Robertson will address several hundred parents and 
>educators of blind children and have an opportunity to share her 
>experience and insights with many people interested in improving the 
>education of blind students.
>
>
># # #
>
>
>About the National Federation of the Blind
>
>With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind 
>is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind 
>people in the United States.   The NFB improves blind people's lives 
>through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs 
>encouraging independence and self-confidence.  It is the leading 
>force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's 
>blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of 
>the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center 
>in the United States for the blind led by the blind.